BIBLE CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE. THE COMMON SALVATION. "The common salvation." Jude 3 v. JUDE selected, as the basis of his epistle, the most sublime, profound, and important subject, viz., "the common salvation." Some things are reckoned common, because in the world's exchange they are bought and sold for little money; others, because they are so plentiful; others again, because they are of a bad or mean quality, and yet again others, because they are enjoyed by all classes of the community, such as water, air, bread, &c. Let us consider this subject ; I. NEGATIVELY. The 1. Salvation is not COMMON, viewed in relation to its VALUE. value of the "Koh-i-noor" is estimated at the enormous sum of five hundred thousand pounds; but, if placed in juxta-position with the pearl of great price, it seems but of little worth; it loses its lustre in the transcendent brilliancy of salvation, just as the light of a glowworm is eclipsed by the refulgent rays of the noon-day sun. Salvation is the sun of the Scripture, enlightening and beautifying every page; it is the "wedding garment," the restorer of human nature, the solace of the Christian, the passport to glory, and the song of the redeemed. What has it cost? It is so valuable that it could not be purchased with mountains of gold, silver and precious stones; all lands, houses, cattle, rivers of oil, and seas of blood, could not buy it. Man could not purchase it, for he is too poor. In vain should we appeal to the holy angels for help; for though they are rich in knowledge, purity, strength, activity, felicity, and possessions, yet they are too poor to buy for us "the common salvation." May we not suppose that Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the great Eternal, would gladly have bought the blessing for us, had he been NOVEMBER, 1868. 2 I able; and that the King of saints would have commissioned him to procure the priceless blessing for us, could he have satisfied the demands of justice? To get a faint idea of its worth let us climb "Pisgah's top," and, using the Bible as our telescope, look beyond the bounds of earth, to "the holiest of all." What heavenly light bursts upon our sight, what glorious beings we behold! but look, there is One, whose face is more glorious than the rest, whose voice is more melodious, whose crown is more brilliant, whose seat is "the great white throne." He is the Eternal Son of God, the Creator of the universe, the Light of heaven, the Joy of angels, the Centre of attraction in the heavenly temple, and the only One who is sufficiently rich to procure for us "the common salvation." And He who was so "rich, for our sakes became poor," to purchase our salvation. The Bible tells us he was born in Bethlehem, what condescension! He fought and conquered the devil in the wilderness. He was 66 a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” He was poor, despised, persecuted, and forsaken. Behold Him in the garden! His mental agony is so terrible, that "he sweats great drops of blood, falling down to the ground." Behold him on the cross! His physical pain is great, but His soul agonies are far greater, yea, they defy the pen of man and the tongue of angels to describe them. Christ poured forth his heart's blood as the price of salvation. What a price, the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb without blemish and without spot. When we contemplate his exalted rank, the purity of his nature, the holiness of his life, and the beauty of his character, we are constrained to confess that we cannot fully estimate the value of the price of salvation; but we will exclaim with the holy apostle Peter, "The precious blood of Christ!" Estimating salvation by its cost, we must acknowledge that it is not common, viewed in relation to its value. A beggar 2. It is not COMMON, viewed in relation to its QUALITY. clothed in rags, whose teeth chatter by reason of the cold, whose limbs are well nigh frozen, finds his way, though almost blinded by the snow, to a mansion to beg some garments to keep him warm. He tells his plaintive tale. The gentleman's heart beats with tender sympathy. The servant is commissioned to collect some "cast-off garments," which are given to the suffering man. Kind man, thus to clothe the poor. But Christ is far, far kinder than this, for when the trembling sinner comes to him, clothed in rags and covered with filth, he cheerfully accepts him, cleanses him in the "fountain opened in the house of David.........for sin and for uncleanness," and clothes him, not in a poor, mean, or cast-off garment, but in a robe of the finest texture and quality, viz., with the robe of salvation. Mark well this robe, it is more perfect than the seamless coat worn by Christ, and more beautiful than Joseph's of many colours. It is called by Christ, "the wedding garment," and "the best robe." Isaiah speaks of it as "beautiful garments.' The man who wears the vesture of salvation will shine brightly in this world, and at death be admitted to "the marriage supper of the Lamb," to associate with angels for ever and ever. In that heavenly mansion, where the Lamb is "the light thereof," and where the angels, that stand in the presence of God, will be arrayed in their best apparel, the glorified saint need not be ashamed of his robe, for it will bear the light of heaven, and make him equal to the holy angels. Salvation is often, by the sacred penmen, compared to a feast. When a prince invites guests to a banquet, the richest viands are prepared, and the choicest wines are provided. The great King of Heaven has prepared a feast of the richest character. "The King of heaven his table spreads, And dainties crown the board; Not paradise with all its joys "wine " "milk It is "a feast of fat things," declares the prophet; the Saviour says, "I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed;" the "bread of life" has been prepared, the secured; the "water of life" provided, and the obtained; and now the Redeemer bids all come to the feast. What a rich and sumptuous feast! How strengthening, how cheering, how ennobling, how spiritualizing is the Gospel Feast! Shall we judge of its quality by the blessings it secures ? If so, it secures to us the blessings of pardon, peace, purity, Divine guidance and protection, a happy death, an abundant entrance into heaven, a throne, a palm, and a harp, companionship with angels, and eternal union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Surely salvation cannot be common, viewed in relation to its quality. Let us consider this subject II. POSITIVELY. men. 1. Salvation is COMMON, because it is provided for and offered to all Our highways are called "common," because they are provided for, and open to, all classes of the community, from Her Majesty the Queen down to her humblest subject. Isaiah, the eloquent, the evangelical prophet, says, "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness." There are a few passages in the Bible which at first sight seem to limit the extent of salvation. Those passages some people take to enforce the doctrine of "unconditional election," or what is called "Calvinism;" but if carefully weighed, they will be found to harmonize with those plain and numerous statements, such as "He (Christ) by the grace of God should taste death for every man ;" or, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." The doctrine of conditional election seems to shine very clearly in the inspired volume. Look at its numerous promises, threatenings, invitations, and warnings. All teach the doctrine of a salvation, free for all, whatever their colour, clime, education, wealth, age, rank, or employment. If the doctrines of unconditional election and reprobation be correct, how can the sinner be judged and punished for rejecting that which was never provided or intended for him? Looked at from a human stand-point, these doctrines seem to change the most benevolent being into the most malevolent monster. When a poor sinner gets converted, the Spirit plants in him the germ of love. This tiny germ produces its effects; it causes the young Christian to groan, pray, and ardently desire the salvation of all men. If possible, he would embrace all mankind and impart to them "the common salvation." If a tiny spark of love will produce such delightful effects, how willing and anxious must the Divine Being be to save all men, for He is the fountain of all goodness and mercy, and His matchless name is Love. "God is Love." "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel." The ministry of our Lord and Master, together with His groans, tears, bloody sweat, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession, unmistakably proclaim His great willingness and intense desire to receive, pardon, and save the human race. Salvation is freely offered to all men, "without money and without price." Do not use your free agency to your own destruction; do not dash the cup of salvation from your lips; do not close the eye of faith when Christ is uplifted on the Gospel pole; do not flee from the city of refuge when the gates are wide open; do not reject "the common salvation," and thereby join the Jews in crying, "Away with Him, crucify Him, crucify Him." If man be a free agent, how great is his responsibility to God! How terrible will be his position at the judgment day, how awful his doom, if he rejects "the common salvation which is provided for and offered to all men. 2. It is COMMON, because it is enjoyed by all believers. Water, bread, and air, may be said to be "common," because they are enjoyed by all classes of the community. Salvation is enjoyed by all true believers, whatever their language, colour, or rank. In the living temple, all are "lively stones;" in the true fold, all the sheep |